Statesmen needed by America

June 15, 2012|By Perk Washenberger

“When I began this work, I was very much a liberal. And over time, in doing the research for my book and in reading a lot of conservative writing, I’ve come to believe that conservative intellectuals actually are more in touch with human nature. They have a more accurate view of human nature.”

Those statements were made by Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist at the University of Virginia when he was interviewed by Bill Moyers, the celebrated PBS correspondent.

This 16-page interview has become a hit with many progressive/liberal folks on the Internet. I think Haidt has a profound understanding of what makes governing so contentious at this time.

He claims that our two major parties nurture dogmas that proclaim settled or established opinion as either good or evil, and there is little, if any, middle ground.

Haidt claims that both sides of the aisle, but moreso conservatives, have sacralized certain groups of supporters and must not betray that trust. That makes compromise a near impossibility.

Indeed, for me it is tempting to cherry pick this interview, adopting opinions that support my predisposition. But if you read it open-mindedly, Haidt puts a pox on both camps.

Largely, Haidt criticized Democrat weaknesses: “You got to have a clear argument about what capitalism is, why it’s good, and how to make it better. As I see it, the left hasn’t done that.” Further: “I think the Democrats need to be developing a credible argument about fairness, capitalism, American history.”

That is a tough assignment.

Capitalism has been good to us.

We live in the richest country the world has ever known. Our nation’s “poor” would be consideredrich by most of other nations’poverty-stricken folks.

What is it that we would call progress? I paraphrase Haidt: The government (during the 1960s) began doing things that supported people who were slackers or free riders (his words). So as entitlement programs grew (Is that progress?) and government did things antithetical to conservative ideas about fairness and responsibility, a result is that it’s not hard to see government as evil. And the only way to stop it is to starve the beast.

One would think that it would be statesman-like for one or a group of our representatives to make a stand and compromise only by buying lunch or something.

If we value balanced budgets, our freedoms and national personal responsibility, we know we must sanctify life, turn away from victimitis, unaffordable benefits, cultural over indulgence, and the breakup of the American family.

The question now: which party, which statesman, has the best chance to embrace the truth and take the necessary tough news to the people?

Perk Washenberger, Aberdeen, a retired real estate broker and business owner, now musically entertains people in senior living and care centers. Write to him at americannews@aberdeennews.com.